Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2017 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts, 95063-95065 [2016-31163]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and
efficient operation of this fishery, to
allow the industry to plan for the fishing
season, and to avoid potential
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
processors. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of December 20, 2016.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
This action is required by § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 21, 2016.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–31151 Filed 12–21–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150818742–6210–02]
RIN 0648–XF103
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory
Area of the Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amount of Pacific cod
from catcher vessels using trawl gear to
vessels using pot gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary to allow
the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific
cod in the Central Regulatory Area of
the GOA to be harvested.
DATES: Effective December 21, 2016
through 2400 hours, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:06 Dec 23, 2016
Jkt 241001
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
under authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act. Regulations governing
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2016 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) specified for catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 15,226
metric tons (mt), as established by the
final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016). The
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator) has
determined that catcher vessels using
trawl gear in the Central Regulatory
Area of the GOA will not be able to
harvest 1,000 mt of the 2016 Pacific cod
TAC allocated to those vessels under
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B).
In accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), the Regional
Administrator has also determined that
vessels using pot gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA currently
have the capacity to harvest this excess
allocation and reallocates 1,000 mt to
vessels using pot gear.
The harvest specifications for Pacific
cod included in the final 2016 and 2017
harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016)
and one reallocation (81 FR 15650,
March 24, 2016) are revised as follows:
14,226 mt to the annual amount for
catcher vessels using trawl gear and
12,680 mt for vessels using pot gear.
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
(AA), finds good cause to waive the
requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. This requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would
delay the reallocation of Pacific cod
specified from catcher vessels using
trawl gear to vessels using pot gear.
Since the fishery is currently open, it is
important to immediately inform the
industry as to the revised allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and
efficient operation of this fishery, to
PO 00000
Frm 00155
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
95063
allow the industry to plan for the fishing
season, and to avoid potential
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
processors. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of December 21, 2016.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
This action is required by § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 21, 2016.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–31155 Filed 12–21–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150818742–6210–02]
RIN 0648–XF104
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment
to the 2017 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and
Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
Amounts
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
adjustment; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS is adjusting the 2017
total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries. This action is
necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly
specified, and will ensure the GOA
pollock and Pacific cod TACs are the
appropriate amounts based on the best
available scientific information for
pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA.
This action is consistent with the goals
and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), December 27, 2016,
until the effective date of the final 2017
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM
27DER1
95064
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
and 2018 harvest specifications for GOA
groundfish, unless otherwise modified
or superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., January 11, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by FDMS
Docket Number NOAA–NMFS–2015–
0110 by any of the following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=
NOAA-NMFS-2015-0110, click the
‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the
required fields, and enter or attach your
comments.
• Mail: Address written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous). Attachments to
electronic comments will be accepted in
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF
file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act.
Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016) set the
2017 pollock TAC at 254,200 metric
tons (mt) and the 2017 Pacific cod TAC
at 62,150 mt in the GOA. In December
2016, the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
recommended a 2017 pollock TAC of
208,595 mt for the GOA, which is less
than the 254,200 mt established by the
final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
GOA. The Council also recommended a
2017 Pacific cod TAC of 64,442 mt for
the GOA, which is more than the 62,150
mt established by the final 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA. The Council’s
recommended 2017 TACs, and the area
and seasonal apportionments, are based
on the Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation report (SAFE), dated
November 2016, which NMFS has
determined is the best available
scientific information for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same
location as the pollock and Pacific cod
fisheries and are listed as endangered
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are a
principal prey species for Steller sea
lions in the GOA. The seasonal
apportionment of pollock and Pacific
cod harvest is necessary to ensure the
groundfish fisheries are not likely to
cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse
modification of critical habitat for
Steller sea lions. The regulations at
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the
pollock TAC will be apportioned. The
regulations at § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i) specify how the Pacific
cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(iii),
(a)(2)(i)(B), and (a)(2)(iv) the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that, based on the November
2016 SAFE report for this fishery, the
current GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are incorrectly specified.
Consequently, pursuant to
§ 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator is adjusting the 2017
GOA pollock TAC to 208,595 mt and the
2017 GOA Pacific cod TAC to 64,442
mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2016
and 2017 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (81 FR 14740,
March 18, 2016) is revised consistent
with this adjustment.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4
of the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016) is
revised for the 2017 TACs of pollock in
the Central and Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA.
TABLE 4—FINAL 2017 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GOA;
SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01.]
Season 1
Shumagin
(Area 610)
Chirikof
(Area 620)
%
Kodiak
(Area 630)
%
Total 2
%
A (Jan 20–Mar 10) .......
B (Mar 10–May 31) ......
C (Aug 25–Oct 1) .........
D (Oct 1–Nov 1) ...........
2,232
2,232
19,569
19,569
4.67
4.67
40.94
40.94
34,549
39,420
12,341
12,341
72.29
82.48
25.82
25.82
11,014
6,143
15,886
15,886
23.04
12.85
33.24
33.24
47,796
47,796
47,796
47,796
Annual Total ..........
43,602
........................
98,652
........................
48,929
........................
191,183
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
1 As
established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10
to May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table.
2 The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i), Table 6 of the final
2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:06 Dec 23, 2016
Jkt 241001
groundfish in the GOA (81 FR 14740,
March 18, 2016) is revised for the 2017
seasonal apportionments and allocation
PO 00000
Frm 00156
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
of Pacific cod TAC in the GOA
consistent with this adjustment.
E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM
27DER1
95065
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 27, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 6—FINAL 2016 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH
AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS AND THE EASTERN
GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual
allocation amount]
A Season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
Regulatory area and sector
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line CV .........................................................
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl C/P ......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................
Sector
percentage
of annual
non-jig TAC
B Season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage
of annual
non-jig TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
889
343
4,854
9,414
588
9,316
N/A
0.70
10.90
27.70
0.90
19.80
533
172
2,672
6,791
221
4,854
N/A
0.70
8.90
10.70
1.50
18.20
356
172
2,182
2,623
368
4,462
Total .......................................................................
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line <50 CV ..................................................
Hook-and-line ≥50 CV ..................................................
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................
Trawl CV 1 .....................................................................
Trawl C/P ......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................
25,404
60.00
15,242
40.00
10,161
331
4,790
2,200
1,674
13,641
1,377
9,121
N/A
9.32
5.61
4.11
21.14
2.00
17.83
199
3,056
1,840
1,347
6,933
657
5,849
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
20.45
2.19
9.97
133
1,734
360
327
6,708
720
3,272
Total .......................................................................
33,135
60.00
19,881
40.00
13,254
Eastern GOA ........................................................................
........................
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
5,313
590
5,903
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to due to rounding.
Classification
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
(AA), finds good cause to waive the
requirement to provide prior notice and
opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. This requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:06 Dec 23, 2016
Jkt 241001
allow for harvests that exceed the
appropriate allocations for Pacific cod
based on the best scientific information
available. NMFS was unable to publish
a notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as
of December 20, 2016, and additional
time for prior public comment would
result in conservation concerns for the
ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
PO 00000
Frm 00157
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested
persons are invited to submit written
comments on this action to the above
address until January 11, 2017.
This action is required by § 679.20
and § 679.25 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 21, 2016.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–31163 Filed 12–23–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\27DER1.SGM
27DER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 95063-95065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31163]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150818742-6210-02]
RIN 0648-XF104
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason
Adjustment to the 2017 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total
Allowable Catch Amounts
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2017 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts
for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and Pacific cod fisheries. This
action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are
incorrectly specified, and will ensure the GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are the appropriate amounts based on the best available scientific
information for pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA. This action is
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 27,
2016, until the effective date of the final 2017
[[Page 95064]]
and 2018 harvest specifications for GOA groundfish, unless otherwise
modified or superseded through publication of a notification in the
Federal Register.
Comments must be received at the following address no later than
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 11, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2015-0110 by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= NOAA-NMFS-2015-0110, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Address written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau,
AK 99802-1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word,
Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations
governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at
subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016) set the 2017 pollock TAC at
254,200 metric tons (mt) and the 2017 Pacific cod TAC at 62,150 mt in
the GOA. In December 2016, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) recommended a 2017 pollock TAC of 208,595 mt for the GOA,
which is less than the 254,200 mt established by the final 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council also
recommended a 2017 Pacific cod TAC of 64,442 mt for the GOA, which is
more than the 62,150 mt established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council's recommended
2017 TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are based on the
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November
2016, which NMFS has determined is the best available scientific
information for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are a principal prey species
for Steller sea lions in the GOA. The seasonal apportionment of pollock
and Pacific cod harvest is necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries
are not likely to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification
of critical habitat for Steller sea lions. The regulations at Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the pollock TAC will be apportioned. The
regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)
specify how the Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and
(a)(2)(iv) the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that, based on the November 2016 SAFE
report for this fishery, the current GOA pollock and Pacific cod TACs
are incorrectly specified. Consequently, pursuant to Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the 2017 GOA
pollock TAC to 208,595 mt and the 2017 GOA Pacific cod TAC to 64,442
mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016)
is revised consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4 of the final 2016 and
2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (81 FR 14740,
March 18, 2016) is revised for the 2017 TACs of pollock in the Central
and Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Table 4--Final 2017 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumagin (Area 610) Chirikof (Area 620) Kodiak (Area 630)
Season \1\ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total \2\
% % %
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)....................... 2,232 4.67 34,549 72.29 11,014 23.04 47,796
B (Mar 10-May 31)....................... 2,232 4.67 39,420 82.48 6,143 12.85 47,796
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)........................ 19,569 40.94 12,341 25.82 15,886 33.24 47,796
D (Oct 1-Nov 1)......................... 19,569 40.94 12,341 25.82 15,886 33.24 47,796
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total........................ 43,602 .............. 98,652 .............. 48,929 .............. 191,183
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
components are not shown in this table.
\2\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i),
Table 6 of the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016) is revised for the
2017 seasonal apportionments and allocation of Pacific cod TAC in the
GOA consistent with this adjustment.
[[Page 95065]]
Table 6--Final 2016 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the
GOA; Allocations for the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not
total precisely to annual allocation amount]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non- allowances annual non- allowances
jig TAC (mt) jig TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC)........... 889 N/A 533 N/A 356
Hook-and-line CV............ 343 0.70 172 0.70 172
Hook-and-line C/P........... 4,854 10.90 2,672 8.90 2,182
Trawl CV.................... 9,414 27.70 6,791 10.70 2,623
Trawl C/P................... 588 0.90 221 1.50 368
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 9,316 19.80 4,854 18.20 4,462
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 25,404 60.00 15,242 40.00 10,161
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 331 N/A 199 N/A 133
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 4,790 9.32 3,056 5.29 1,734
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 2,200 5.61 1,840 1.10 360
Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,674 4.11 1,347 1.00 327
Trawl CV \1\................ 13,641 21.14 6,933 20.45 6,708
Trawl C/P................... 1,377 2.00 657 2.19 720
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 9,121 17.83 5,849 9.97 3,272
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 33,135 60.00 19,881 40.00 13,254
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
---------------------------------------------------------------
5,903 5,313
590
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to due to rounding.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and
would allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocations for
Pacific cod based on the best scientific information available. NMFS
was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of
December 20, 2016, and additional time for prior public comment would
result in conservation concerns for the ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the
effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is
based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and
opportunity for public comment.
Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit
written comments on this action to the above address until January 11,
2017.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.25 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 21, 2016.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-31163 Filed 12-23-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
